Gulf Crisis: Effort underway for early end of Gulf Crisis- Emir of Kuwait tells Trump

The Emir of Kuwait Wednesday told US President that efforts are underway for an early end of the over one-year old diplomatic crisis dividing US allies, Kuwait state-run news agency KANU reports.

Discussions between Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday touched on several issues including the ongoing diplomatic crisis opposing Qatar to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt.

“We are going to explore ways for solving the Gulf crisis in the hope of putting an early end to it,” Sheikh Sabah is quoted as saying.

Saudi Arabia and its allies cut off ties with Qatar in June last year over the tiny gas-rich country’s alleged support for terrorism and close ties with Iran, known as Saudi Arabia’s regional arch foe.

Qatar has squarely denied the charges arguing that it was a victim of a smear campaign.

The crisis broke out following Trump’s visit to the region in May 2017. It was his maiden trip abroad. The US leader sided with the Saudi-led camp, taking benefit of Qatar’s isolation.

Kuwait has been playing the mediator role, trying to defuse the crisis between the feuding sides.